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Rockies lose to Yankees, who score winning run in wild ninth inning

Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies appears to have Brennan Boesch of the New York Yankees out by a half step at first base, but Boesch was ruled safe at first with the game-winning RBI single in the top of the ninth inning at Coors Field on May 8, 2013 in Denver, Colo. (Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)

Todd Helton spent a chunk of the ninth inning with his hands on his head. He couldn't believe a stolen-base attempt was successful at second, then later was stunned when Brennan Boesch was ruled safe on an infield single that proved the difference in the Yankees' 3-2 victory Wednesday night at rain-soaked Coors Field.

"I thought he was out," Helton said. "It's a shame it came down to one play. Give him credit for hustling down the line. It was obviously a really close play."

The game began as a referendum on Juan Nicasio's roster spot and ended with a lively debate.

Brett Gardner of the Yankees slides safely into second base as Rockies shortstop Reid Brignac takes the throw and second baseman Josh Rutledge backs up the play during the first inning Wednesday night at Coors Field. David Zalubowski, The Associated Press

Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt found trouble because of Jonathan Herrera. At shortstop because Troy Tulowitzki did not start for the third time in five games, Herrera couldn't handle a perfect throw from Wilin Rosario on Vernon Wells' stolen base in the ninth. With two outs and bases loaded, Boesch grounded to third baseman Nolan Arenado, who made a diving stop to his left. He double-clutched as he peeked at second base and then threw a dart to Helton.

"Everybody is saying he's out, but if I had gotten the ball out of my glove quicker, he would have been out," Arenado said. "It's just tough to take."

First-base umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled that Boesch beat the throw, bringing manager Walt Weiss out of the dugout for a losing argument. Replays were inconclusive.

Mariano Rivera secured the win for New York with his ongoing major league-record 620th save, helped by Wells' nice play for an out at third base.

With the team contending, shaping recent decisions, Nicasio had become difficult to defend. He hadn't worked more than five innings in five consecutive starts, undermined by a lacking out pitch.

The pressure was more real than imagined after Tyler Chatwood, the recently demoted right-hander, delivered a four-hit, complete-game shutout Tuesday for the Triple-A Sky Sox. Chatwood must stay in the minors for 10 days, barring an injury, leaving Nicasio tiptoe room on his ledge.

If he was nervous, there was hardly any indication. He played cards with teammates and, at one point, he waited 10 minutes in the back of the room during Rivera's meet-and-greet with Rockies employees to shake the closer's hand and pose for a picture.

Nicasio wasn't bad, wasn't great, the criticism more about length than his performance. He was facing a Yankees lineup that's more 75-watt porch light than Broadway marquee. The pitcher hit eighth for the first time since 1957.

Nicasio promptly allowed a two-run first-inning home run to Wells. Helton tied the score at 2-all with his first home run at Coors Field since June 13.

A few boos accompanied the drizzle as Nicasio ended the third inning with 60 pitches. He needed just 31 for his final six outs, giving him a respectable line — two hits, two runs, five strikeouts — and an argument to stay in the rotation.

"I thought he settled down after the first inning," Weiss said. "He did his job."

After the Rockies' 33rd shutout at Coors Field on Tuesday, there was little offense on a raw, wet night. David Phelps, a sinkerballer, didn't fear contact, getting a lot of easy outs in his six innings of work.

There are emerging signs that Yankees lefty CC Sabathia, 32, is not the hard-throwing, dominant pitcher he used to be. His 4-3 record and 3.31 ERA still hint of excellence, but Sabathia needed 118 pitches to get through six innings in his most recent start, against the A's. His fastball velocity hovered at 90 mph as he allowed two runs and eight hits. Yankees watchers are wondering whether Sabathia will ever be able to generate more heat. He has a history of pitching well in interleague play (23-8, 3.40 ERA), but hasn't fared that well vs. the Rockies ( 2-1, 5.97 ERA in six starts). He has started only two games at Coors Field, going 0-1 (8.71 ERA).